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Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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80 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Jennifer Baird

Reviewed April 2014

September 2013 Botswana

A terrific trip to explore the wonders of Botswana. Fantastic wildlife sightings with wild dogs, 6 leopards and honey badgers topping the list but also saw: elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, impala, buffalo, kudu, sable, warthog, hippo, wildebeast, monkey, baboon, steenbok, lechwe, crocodile, water monitor, puku, hyena and so many birds I lost count. We had an elephant pass just behind our tents and hyena coming to check out the steak scraps in our fire. I would highly recommend for the diversity of animals and environments alone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights for me included: the mokoro ride (total zen experience); the surreal moonscape of the pan; Chobe river cruise (highest concentration of game I've ever seen); wild dogs in Moremi (including several pups); sitting on the edge of Victoria Falls in the Devil's Pool (an extra only available at the end of dry season but if you like thrills it was incredible).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam is a terrific leader - very organized and calm with a great sense of humour. Mello is a tireless camp assistant and between them the food was great!

Advice for Potential Travellers

In September is it very hot and very dry and sand is EVERYWHERE. Big package of wet wipes saved my sanity as I could at least clean my feet before bed. I tossed the cot and used two mattresses and was very comfortable sleeping the entire trip. An open mind is the best accessory you can have on any group adventure.

Reviewed December 2013

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

The trip was wonderful – I did not stop smiling from start to finish! It lived up to it’s title as it was a real wilderness experience and the wildlife was incredible.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding in the mokoros through the Okavango Delta, watching a lion cub playing with the pride oblivious to us watching him, wild camping - lying in my tent hearing lions and elephants near by and racing through the park in our 4x4 trying to find out what the lions were up to to name but a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was a wonderful tour leader, he was well organised at all times and made the trip a truly memorable experience. He was kind and friendly and very knowledgeable. He was happy to answer my numerous questions at any time.Joseph our Botswana guide knew the country and it's wildlife inside out, he and Sam had eagle eyes for spotting the wildlife and Joseph was also an excellent driver on challenging roads. He was patient and kind and happy to share his stories and knowledge.Meelo was the camp assistant - he was a wonderful cook and worked hard setting up and taking down camp.Waco also deserves a mention - he was the lead guide of the "polers" when we went into the Delta. He was a brilliant ambassador for the tribe and the project to give them ownership of their conservancy. He was passionate about the wildlife and local environment and shared his knowledge with us. His team were very welcoming and made the Delta visit a real highlight.As a team they all worked together well and made the trip a great success.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go - this is a fantastic trip to get off the beaten track and camp in the wilderness.Be prepared for long drives on dusty, rutted roads but keep your eyes open as you never know when you might spot an elephant or a leopard!November can be the start of the rainy season so an umbrella is useful for the heavy downpours. If you want to avoid the rain go a bit earlier in the year. We had a few big storms but were lucky with the timings.

Reviewed December 2013

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

Excellent wildlife. The best we have seen without the crowds of vehicles. A trip worth making.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a pride of lions with the cub playing, seeing a herd of elephants bathing in the Khwai River, watching the hippos grunting in the pools, coming across leopards at close quarters, seeing the legant giraffes wandering across the bush. Victoria Falls was fantastic. Lots of inspirational moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was an excellent group leader who co-ordinated the trip very well. The Botwana guide, Joseph, was also an exexcellent guide and amazing driver. Melou was a fantastic cook.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be fit without any medical problems as you are mainly a long way from help. If you don't like heat then it is not for you and if you also have heart problems or any other serious conditions it would be unadvisable. Don;t go in the rainy season, it was just starting in November and we were lucky. Just a few thunderstorms but it can get very wet and you may not be able to see Victoria Falls because of the spray.

Reviewed November 2013

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

An excellent trip. I have done safaris in South Africa, Namibia and the classic Kenya Mara trip, but I have never seen so much wildlife. Elephant, Lion, Leopard (first time ever) and all the usual beasts of the plains. One day we had just set up camp and someone called "elephant coming". I looked to see it less than 20m away looking straight at me. Luckily there was a vehicle between him and me. That is how wild the camping is, especially in Moremi and Savouti.I am incredibly unfit, yet I enjoyed the walks in the Delta and managed to stay comfortable whilst camping, something I haven’t done in 30 years.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a pride of nine lionesses stalk a group of zebra. They failed to catch one but seeing the skill and organisation was impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam and his team were brilliant. They gave lots of very relevent advice that always worked out, they were very knowledgable and could drive along the roughest of roads and still spot the smallest animals before anyone else. The food they cooked was better than anything most people could cook on a campfire. Proper food like stews, caseroles but also fish & chips or steak. All three were hard working, very friendly and very helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do:the Okavango Delta flight. Great value for money compared to the helicopter flight in Vic Falls the dinner cruise at Vic Falls. They'll run it even if only 2 people are on boar. Good food, unlimited drink and seeing hippos and crocs as they settle in for the night.If you do the helicopter flight over the falls, take the short Flight of Angels. The longer flight is not worth the extra $125. The DVD is a waste of money.Don'tHave an afternoon sleep, no matter how hot it gets. You won't sleep that night. Read a book and keep hydrated. take too many gadgets that need recharging. There will only be one facility to recharge and that is in the vehicle and can only be used one item at a time. Invest in extra batteries and charge them before you go. Worry about being taken to local "craft shops" or workshops were you could be pressured into buying local souvenirs. One group member actually had to ask to be pointed towards a souvenir shop.

Reviewed October 2013

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

This was an amazing experience from start to finish. I was a single traveller and felt at home within my group and with the staff. It could not have gone better. I will be returning to Botswana very soon

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for me was being able to sit with the Painted Dogs, i have been coming to Africa for just over 20yrs and only ever seen them on my very first year on a trip to Kruger but this experience has made me realise just how endagered these specialist hunters are. I would also say the wild camping that is an experience you will never be able to explain to anyone who hasn't done it. Victoria Falls was amazing and if i could give a tip to anyone ever going there it would be to go back to Devils Cataract after lunch only then will you be able to see the beautiful rainbows ;)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group Leader Sam was fabulous, he was very knowledgable and nothing was too much trouble. He made us laugh but also ensured our safety was his priority.Joseph was just amazing(our guide) i couldn't have asked for a better guide he was very determined and his tracking skills were unbelievable. Loved this guy to pieces he had such a lovely manner and would try to accomodate people taking pictures from both sides of the truck by turning the vehicle around.Melo his cooking was awesome, he even managed to bake fresh bread on an open fire......it was beautiful. Melo helped us with everything from tents to taking me to bushy bushy when it was dark.Vin, although was learning the trip also couldn't do enough for us he was very chatty and happy. A joy to travel with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think about it just do it, you will not be disappointed. Take a good camera. Lip balm is a must with the open land cruiser without it i think my lips may have dropped off my face.

Reviewed October 2013

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

An outstanding trip – highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip exceeded expectations but there were a few highlights: game walks in the Okavango Deltathe hospitality and good humour of our guidesseeing leopards (and a cub!), lions, painted dogs, elephants, giraffes, the list goes on!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was outstandingly organised while appearing extremely laid back. He made us feel completely at ease and entirely safe. Nothing was too much trouble and he went out of his way to make it a truly special trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a headtorch that will not get switched on in your luggage.Take extra batteries for your headtorch in case it gets switched on in your luggage! The longer drives in the open truck can be quite breezy and dusty so take something to wrap around your head and neck to keep out the dust and stop your hair blowing in your face.Take extra camera batteries and take every opportunity at camp sites to charge them up - you will need them!Relax and go with the flow - this trip is amazing!

Reviewed October 2013

BOTSWANA WILDLIFE AND WILDERNESS, OCT 2013

A magical experience that showcases a fantastic country, its people and its animals

Most Inspirational Moment

The people in the group and sitting around the campfire chatting every nightSeeing a leopard and its cub from a few metres away and the evening dinner Zambezi cruise.Camping wild

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was great and everything you want in a leader - relaxed and unflappable which created a great atmosphere and yet kept everything running smoothlyOur local guide Joseph was amazing at finding and getting us close to the animals

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went in late Sep / early Oct and it was really hot. The best thing I took with me was a silk sleeping bag liner as often this was all you needed.You may find it strange on the first few days that there is a lot of relaxation time in the afternoons (due to the heat) - such as midday to 5pm which we found a struggle on the first few days but it soon makes you relax and switch off and becomes part of your normal day

Reviewed September 2013

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

This tour is a great way to discover the wildlife of Botswana. There is loads to see and the setting is stunning, only enhanced by the opportunity to visit Victoria falls.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a number of highlights:- the amazing Victoria falls;- the huge array of wildlife in picturesque settings. In particular the Chobe river cruise should not be missed.- the view of the milky way at night- sounds of the jungle at night, when camping in remote areas

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group Leader Sam, together with support from Mellow and our game park guide Press, did a great job in making sure we made the most of our holiday. They organised us effectively when required; provided every opportunity to see the available wildlife; prepared great food in difficult conditions and were good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

August is a good time to visit as the land is starting to dry out but it is not yet too hot. It definitely helped to have a decent sleeping bag and a fleece for the early morning drives.Make sure Exodus have booked the campsite at Savuti. For our tour the booking was too late and we ended up 1.5 hours away at Zwee Zwee, which is useless in the dry season when there is no wildlife there.

Reviewed December 2012

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

A wonderful two weeks exploring the best of Botswana's wildlife and wilderness. Anything but bland, we had some truly memorable experiences with lovely sunsets, but the holiday was best summed up when our group leader asked our group of nine for their favourite moment and received 9 different responses before we came full circle and gave some more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many for a number 1 choice but the following were equally brilliant: Wild Camping - sleeping in the wild with elephants, hyena, honey badgers and others visiting the camp during day and night. We were well looked after by the crew and there were some very close encounters.Wildlife galore - the sheer scale of what we saw and some brilliant encounters. Highlights included seeing 3 leopards and spending 25 minutes with 2 of them barely 10 metres away - great tracking from Kenny to get us there and to know the leopards would move towards an extra special photo opportunity location. Seeing a very fearsome pride of 7 lions on several occasions and quite miracously seeing three different packs of wild dogs on 3 separate game drives. A huge number of antelope (some rare) and herbivores too (including a stampede of 60 plus buffalo just 2 minute walk from our Livingstone campsite - just as well we didn't walk).The River Cruise at Chobe which is the best 200 pula you can spend - a great guide gave us a very different perspective of the wildlife from the water with some close up encounters. This is the best chance to see crocodile and rarer forms of antelope. Walking safaris - a brilliant time walking amongst the wildlife and opportunities to observe the animals from safe but very close distances. led by a very keen, enthusiastic and knowledgable group of young locals, they kept us safe from an elephant charge when the wind changed direction suddenly. Also provided local entertainment with genuine relish and fun.Victoria Falls - spectacular viewings from the Zimbabwe side and a great variety of fun activities. The microflight is not for the faint hearted but provides a wondeful bird's eye view of the Falls.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was excellent, very well organised who kindly took time off his free day to make sure we got through Zimbabwean immigration without any trouble. The trip ran very smoothly, he was an excellent cook (certainly nothing bland with his cooking) and got us through every immigration point easily. Also gave very good advice on seeing the Falls from Zimbabwe. Kenny our tracker was a brilliant wildlife guide who manoeuvered us into position for some truly brillinat sightings and photo opportunity. Joseph and Brude were very friendly and extremely efficient with all of the camp chores.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! This trip has a terrific itiniery with excellent staff and is the best value trip for Botswana I have seen.October is extremely hot but you just have to rememeber that it is one of the best months for spotting wildlife, particularly big cats.Take Sam's advice and see the Falls from the Zimbabwean side if going in British autumn.

Reviewed December 2012

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

The trip was very well put together. It incorporated all the key highlights in an efficient two week schedule, without too many long days of travel. The wildlife was spectacular – we were very lucky to see wonderful views of leopards, lion, elephants, and more! The wild camping was great, the guides were wonderful, and the camp food was very good too! An excellent trip, and I’d highly recommend it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The light aircraft flight over the Okavango Delta was incredible - the sort of view you can only otherwise get from a David Attenborough film!I also loved the Chobe River Cruise - being able to get so close to so many different types of animals and to see them from the water was unique and very special.Finally, the day to day aspect of wild camping, walking and just being in the wild with the animals was a wonderful experience and a refreshing change from normal life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam did a very good job. He organised the trip very well and really knew what he was doing. He tried hard to make it as enjoyable as possible, although perhaps struggled to deal with one or two of the more "challenging" members of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes were very helpful. I went in late October / early November and it was hot!! No need for fleeces or warm tops, and only a very light sleeping bag was required. Take a paclite for the occasional rare late afternoon downpour though.It was possible to charge batteries at several points along the route, as well as in the Landcruiser.Take plenty of dollars to change into local currency.Highly recommend the flight over the Delta, the longer helicopter flight over Victoria Falls, and the Chobe River Cruise - all amazing experiences!

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